Ship seized by Egypt 'carried 40 tons of weapons'

Intercepted armaments were headed for Syria or Gaza

Published: 04/04/2013 at 11:35 PM

(Israel National News) Egyptian maritime authorities have seized a ship with a crew of 14 and a cargo of 105 crates of unspecified weapons and ammunition, which belonged to an African security company, Egyptian security officials told AFP.

The military’s spokesman Colonel Ahmed Mohamed Ali said on his Facebook page the ship belonged to a company that secures maritime routes in the Red Sea, a haven of Somalia-based pirates.

“The weapons and ammunition on this ship are related to its work and mission to secure commercial vessels,” he said.

But Israel’s Channel 10 television contradicted the Egyptian military’s version, reporting that the boat was carrying 40 tons of Iranian weapons destined for Syria or Gaza.